Danny Trevino doesn’t like the term “medical marijuana dispensary” when describing his new business in Jackson.

He prefers “alternative medicine store.”

Trevino recently opened HydroWorld Marijuana Services, 834 N. West Ave., as a place for patients to obtain medical marijuana, help them get their state medical marijuana card and teach them how grow their own marijuana. It is also a meeting place for patients and caregivers, Trevino said.

On Jan. 25, the City Council voted and passed a six-month moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. City Manager Warren Renando said dispensaries that now exist would be “grandfathered” and would not be closed as a result of the moratorium.

When the moratorium expires, the city will regulate the location and possibly the hours of dispensaries much like bars, adult book stores and massage parlors are regulated, Renando said at the meeting.

Trevino said he signed the lease on his business days before the moratorium took effect.

“We’ve only been open for a couple of weeks,” Trevino said. “Jackson has really accepted us.”

Trevino has three other HydroWorld locations in Lansing and started HydroCollege two years ago to teach people how to become legal and grow their own medicinal marijuana. He has taught more than 2,500 people through HydroCollege, he said.

Jackson Deputy Police Chief John Holda said police are working with government officials to keep an eye on medical marijuana businesses, but there have not been any issues so far.

Jackson police Lt. Elmer Hitt said he only knows of one other dispensary, the Jackson County Compassion Club at 1620 E. Michigan Ave.

However, the Compassion Club’s founder and president, Roger Maufort, said the club doesn’t dispense marijuana. Rather, it’s a not-for-profit organization that facilitates the transfer of marijuana between patients and caregivers, Maufort said.

For more information about HydroWorld Marijuana Services, call 780-4530 or visit www.hydroworld.biz.